Bacteria linked to patient deaths in Qld

An outbreak of a group A streptococcus bacteria in Brisbane has been linked to two patient deaths. Source: AAP

QUEENSLAND'S chief health officer is confident a Brisbane hospital grappling with a group A streptococcus bacterial outbreak, linked to two patient deaths, has the situation under control.

The deaths of two elderly patients at Greenslopes Private Hospital's rehabilitation centre have been linked to the bacteria outbreak.

Two other elderly patients at the rehabilitation centre have tested positive to the bacteria but are responding well to antibiotics.

The centre's admissions have been suspended as all patients and staff are tested.

Queensland Health said the main hospital building was not at risk because the rehabilitation unit was a separate facility.

Queensland chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young says the hospital has met all the public health guidelines for such an outbreak.

"All patients and staff currently in the unit are being tested and monitored for signs of the infection," Dr Young said.

"I understand all patients discharged from the unit since November 29 are being contacted by the hospital and given information about the symptoms to look out for."

Two men, aged 91 and 95, died at the hospital in the past week. One had pneumonia, the other a bloodstream infection.

They were later found to have the streptococcus bacteria in their bloodstreams.

Dr Young said she was notified of the deaths on Thursday, which is within the mandatory notification period.

Often the bacteria is found in the throat and on the skin and can cause minor symptoms such as a sore throat.

But in rare cases it can invade the bloodstream or the lungs and cause life-threatening illnesses, typically in people with compromised health, such as the elderly.

A legionnaires' disease outbreak was at the private Wesley Hospital this year.

Linked to the hospital's water system, that outbreak led to the death of a cancer patient in his 60s. Another patient was put in intensive care.

The Wesley was effectively shut down for about a fortnight and hospitals throughout the state were tested for the bacteria.

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